Alpine Ski Touring

On April 7, 2013 by Tim Neill

So after leaving Wales as conditions became “once in a lifetime” I settled into the ski touring world out here in Chamonix. With a few friends (Rudders, Tamsin and Owain) we toured quite a few nice classics around the mountains here in mostly fine weather and great snow.

Starting with an obligatory run down one of the many variations into the Vallee Blanche, then an amazing ski down the Glacier Mort variation to the classic Crochues/Berard traverse in the Aig Rouge. We skied up Mont Buet (the ladies Mt Blanc…..felt more like Cho Oyu) for another long descent to the bar at Hotel Buet via the final James Bond bit through the trees. Finally we made a timely tour around the famous 3 Cols (although not the same 3 as it was 15 or so yrs ago when I last did it due to glacial change). A little whiteout for a while stopped us letting rip down the powder at the top of the Tour glacier, but popping out the cloud lower down was fantastic.

So, short days, big climbs and fast descents through beautiful scenery….then a beer!